Mary Jean Burch

Mary was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 25, 1956 to Louis (Bud) and Betty Burch. One of five siblings, she was a loving sister and a devoted daughter. She was an excellent student in school and was very active growing up in extracurricular activities. She enjoyed being creative in various 4-H projects and loved participating in school music groups. She played piano, clarinet, and sang in her school choir. Mary had a beautiful singing voice and loved to act. She performed in many musicals in both high school as well as in junior college, including the role of “Auntie Em” in the musical “Wizard of Oz.” She loved to bake with her sisters, especially delighting in mastering her mom Betty’s beloved cinnamon roll recipe.

After high school, Mary attended Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Concordia Lutheran College in Seward, Nebraska in 1978. She went on to later receive her Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois - Springfield) in 1987.

Mary started her teaching career at Rockford Lutheran High School in Rockford, Illinois. After five years, she moved to Springfield, Illinois where she continued her teaching career at Lutheran High School in the fall of 1983. She spent the next 36 years at Lutheran High School, retiring in 2021. Mary’s total teaching career spanned 41 years.

She is affectionately described as a “superhero” and “Crusader of the Years.” Mary loved being in the classroom. She served as a compassionate advocate for her students and offered a kind and encouraging listening presence. She trained students to be future leaders through their experience on Student Council, planned and chaperoned school dances, and announced thousands of dollars for scholarships to seniors on Awards Night. She cared deeply for her students, knowing each of them by name and cheering them on at school events. She took several trips to Europe with students resulting in life long memories.

Her personality, abundant intellect, and big heart were known to many. She cherished her family, her friends, and her students. She served as an invaluable mentor and guide for countless young people in discerning their futures. Mary’s passion for teaching was inspirational, and her love of Shakespeare and literature was infectious. She cultivated long-lasting and close friendships with her colleagues and peers. Throughout her life, Mary was a shepherd to many on the road of their faith journeys.

In addition to her many decades of teaching, Mary also worked at Lane Bryant for many years and established long-lasting friendships with her colleagues there. She had a talent for celebrating achievements and remembering special occasions. She took great joy in selecting the perfect gift for the right person, often from Lane Bryant! She always knew how to make someone feel incredibly special. Mary touched many lives and will be remembered for her caring heart.

Mary was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Betty, brother, Roger, and niece, Alesa. She is survived by her father, Louis (Bud); siblings, Cindy (George) Jones, Mark (Jill) Burch, Jan (David) Nelson, and Joanie (Scott) Shevel; nieces and nephews, Chris (Karen) Jones, Kelly (Lori) Jones, Matthew (Asheley) Burch, Abigail Burch and Katy Shevel. She is also survived by two great nephews, Sam Jones and Hudson Burch and one great niece, Harper Burch.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church 2645 Old Jacksonville Rd. Springfield, IL 627704. Pastor Joshua Theilen will officiate Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 9:30am. The service is available through www.oursaviors-church.org/home and then follow to facebook link. Private graveside services will be held in Frazier Cemetery, Logan Iowa at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Lutheran High School 3500 W. Washington, Springfield, Illinois 62711. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West 217-544-5424